CORALVILLE, Iowa & WALTHAM, Mass.– Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), a global leader in CRISPR genome editing solutions, inked a licensing agreement with SeQure Dx, a company focused on off-target analysis for preclinical and clinical gene modification customers, bolstering IDT’s complete CRISPR portfolio comprised of world-class RUO to CGMP solutions from design to analysis. The licensing agreement enables IDT to support cell and gene therapy developers through all phases of their CRISPR-based therapeutic programs by providing comprehensive off-target analysis services, powered by SeQure Dx’s GUIDE-seq technology, alongside IDT’s award-winning rhAmpSeq™ CRISPR Analysis System.
“Off-target effects continue to be a primary concern in genome editing and are still not fully understood,” said Sandy Ottensmann, VP/General Manager, Gene Writing & Editing Business Unit at IDT. “With an increasing pipeline of CRISPR-based therapeutics that are entering and progressing in trials, the delivery of safer and more efficient genome editing platforms to the clinic becomes paramount. IDT’s expanded off-target analysis capabilities demonstrate a transformational shift we are making to support cell and gene therapy developers in their transition to the clinic, in a drive to make life-changing therapies as safe as possible.”
Dr. Keith Joung, Scientific Founder of SeQure Dx, added, “SeQure’s best-in-class off-target nomination and confirmation platforms will seamlessly complement IDT’s CRISPR-based portfolio of products and services. By combining SeQure’s & IDT’s innovative technologies, this will enhance precision and safety in gene editing, bringing transformative solutions to researchers and patients worldwide.”
The licensing agreement with SeQure Dx expands IDT’s comprehensive off-target analysis capabilities by providing the company access to SeQure Dx’s next generation sequencing-based gene editing off-target analysis technology, GUIDE-seq. Originally developed by Keith Joung’s group at Massachusetts General Hospital, GUIDE-seq is a widely used off-target nomination assay, making it an excellent starting point for developing and evaluating CRISPR-focused therapeutics. Broadly used by academic researchers, biotechs, large pharma and biopharma companies to help characterize potential off-target events in their genome editing results, GUIDE-seq provides genome-wide, unbiased identification of double-stranded breaks by sequencing. It has contributed in part to the successful development and release of multiple therapeutics.
